The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing to boost the minimum broadband speeds in the United States to 100Mbps down and 20Mbps up. The current standard is 25Mbps down and 3Mbps up.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the proposed change is necessary to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, high-speed internet. “In today’s world, everyone needs access to affordable, high-speed internet, no exceptions,” she said in a statement. “It’s time to connect everyone, everywhere. Anything short of 100 percent is just not good enough.”
The proposed change would also bring the US in line with other developed countries, many of which have already set higher broadband standards. For example, the European Union has set a minimum broadband speed of 100Mbps down and 50Mbps up.
The FCC’s proposal is still in the early stages and is subject to public comment. If adopted, it would take effect in 2024.
In addition to boosting the minimum broadband speeds, the FCC is also proposing to set a long-term goal of 1Gbps down and 500Mbps up. This would be a significant increase from the current standard and would require significant investment from internet service providers (ISPs).
Rosenworcel added that the benefits of faster broadband speeds are clear. “Faster broadband speeds are essential for everything from working from home to learning remotely to streaming high-quality video,” she said. “They are also essential for economic growth and innovation.”
The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.